By GEORGE A KING III
TAMPA — Joe Girardi said he talked to Andy Pettitte on Thursday night and today reported the pitcher is “doing good.”
According to Girardi, Pettitte is slated to throw a bullpen session (likely in Houston) tomorrow and join the program Monday, the first day of camp for Pettitte.
“He has been through a traumatic offseason, first with his family (an injured son) and the issue he is going through,” Girardi said, referring to Pettitte’s role in the Roger Clemens steroid case.
Mariano Rivera, who will throw with Phil Hughes tomorrow, spoke highly of the bullpen with the belief that Joba Chamberlain will stay in the setup role he performed so well a year ago.
“I understand we will have Joba in the pen so our bullpen will be solid,” said Rivera, who also is encouraged by adding veteran right-hander LaTroy Hawkins.
Though Chamberlain will be a reliever at the beginning of the season and possibly join the rotation later, Girardi refused to announce Chamberlain will set up Rivera at the start.
“Joba is competing for a spot in the starting rotation right now,” Girardi said of the 22-year-old right-hander who dominated in 19 relief appearances last season, going 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA and fanning 34 in 24 innings. “We are preparing him as a starter. We will look at the pitching staff as a whole and decide what the best fit is. We will look at it at the end of March and see where we are.”
Despite Chamberlain’s blazing debut, Girardi said Chamberlain is far from a finished product.
“He still has work to do to be a polished pitcher,” Girardi said. “He has only pitched professionally for a year. Obviously he was very successful last year. The upside of Joba is really up.
“We are preparing him to be a starter in the big leagues and an effective starter for a long time.”
Before watching four groups of four hurlers work in the bullpen for eight minutes, Girardi implored his arms to be smart.
“Take care of your body,” Girardi told his team in his first official meeting. “And you can’t make the team today, tomorrow or the next day. Take it slow and get your arm speed before you try and impress people. There are jobs open here and sometimes you try and do too much.”